Lewis Hamilton‘s blockbuster move to Ferrari for 2025 means Charles Leclerc is facing yet another teammate change at F1’s most famous team. But he’s taking it all in stride.
The young Monegasque driver opened up about his relationship with outgoing teammate Carlos Sainz, who’s making way for Hamilton’s arrival.
“Honestly, I’ve had an incredible relationship with Carlos,” Leclerc said. “He’s such a good person.”
Like any F1 teammates, they’ve had their moments of tension on track. That’s just racing.
“When we’re so close on track sometimes there are things that aren’t going to be agreed by both parties,” Leclerc explained. “But every time these things happened, we came out of it stronger and closer together.”
Their bond goes beyond the Ferrari garage. The two drivers often travel to races together and share interests outside of racing.
Even with Sainz heading to Williams next year to partner Alex Albon, Leclerc doesn’t see their friendship ending.
“I’m sure that even though he won’t be in red next year, we’ll still travel together to the races to spend some time together,” he said. “Because our relationship is really good.”
It’s a refreshingly honest take from Leclerc, who’s now preparing for his third different teammate at Ferrari in just a few years.
“I wish him the best,” Leclerc added about Sainz, before facing what will surely be his biggest challenge yet – going head-to-head with seven-time world champion Hamilton in matching Ferrari red.
